Sheffield Film and Comic Con stars coming to Arena

The A-Team's Dirk Benedict - pictured left - is coming to Sheffield Film and Comic Con.

Jon Ball

Doctor Who and The A-Team stars are among big name actors coming to Sheffield for a film and comic convention.

Collector fair organiser Showmasters has announced an event in the city this year for the first time – with a host of TV and movie stars, as well as comic book artists booked to attend.

A Showmasters spokesman said: “We are pleased to announce we will be running our first show in Sheffield.

“Sheffield Film and Comic Con is our new show and we will be taking over the Motorpoint Arena.

“Taking place over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and 31, Sheffield Film and Comic Con promises to bring you some of your favourite stars from TV, film and comics as well as a host of fun activities including photo shoots, panels, autograph sessions and hundreds of stalls full of TV and film memorabilia to browse.”

Stars lined up to appear include Dirk Benedict, pictured right, who Lieutenant Starbuck in Battlestar Galactica and Face in The A-Team before appearing in Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, and Kristianna Loken, from Terminator 3.

Fans can also pay for autographs and photos with a number of Doctor Who stars booked to appear, including Bonnie Langford, who played Melanie in the 1980s, Sophie Aldred, who played Ace in the 1980s, Terry Molloy, who has starred as dalek emperor Davros, and Louise Jameson, who played Leela in the 1970s, before going to play Rosa di Marco in EastEnders.

Other attractions at the event include talks, photoshoots, a comic zone, video game zone and a ‘cosplay’ masquerade competition.

The spokesman said: “Cosplay comes from mixing ‘costume’ and ‘play’. It means the hobby of making and wearing costumes of characters from films, anime, books or video games.

“Cosplay is about bringing characters to life, so many cosplayers try their best to look or act like the character.”